Superstar stand-up paddler Michael Booth claimed his first ever King of the Cut victory on Saturday, taking out a win in the 24-kilometre downwind dash from Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour.
Booth's prowess on the paddle board has seen him win just about every race around the world, but the prestigious Peel-based race had always eluded him.
That all changed in perfect conditions on Saturday, though, as he was the first past the finish line with a stellar time of one hour, 44 minutes and 45 seconds.
"I'm really happy to take the win. I've been doing this since 2014," the 29-year-old said.
"The conditions were just perfect, best ever with really strong wind.
"If you're a downwind competitor, you'd love it. We're so lucky to have these conditions in WA.
"I knew I had to break away early and in the second half, I just enjoyed it."
In the men's second place went to 18-year-old Sam McCullough who was also the first 14-foot stand up board across the line.
Rounding out the top three was Luke Hallam.
In the women's it was Jade Lane taking the title of Queen of the Cut, finishing first in a race she has desperately wanted to win for the past four years.
"I beat my time from last year, so I'm really happy," she said.
"The first half was relatively slow and the second half I just brought it home.
"I came to Mandurah a week early to prepare and practice - the ocean here is so much bigger and it really does pay to come early, paddle the course and feel the stoke."
A record was broken on the day with 19 wing foil competitors, the largest number of any event in the world.
Wing foiling was a demonstration category last year and has skyrocketed in popularity in recent times.
In his first wing foil race, Frenchman Bastien Escofet took title honours setting a blistering pace to finish in 59 minutes, 40 seconds, the fastest ever time recorded at the King of the Cut.
"It's so good to race the wing foil here, the conditions are so windy, it's really great," he said.
Surf Skis were introduced for the first time in race history this year, largely as a result of COVID cancelling 'The Doctor' race.
South African born Brendan Rice won the Surf Ski class with a time of 1:22:22.
First foiling SUP was Marcus Tardrew with a time of 1:09:40 while the Outrigger Canoe class was won by Adam Fahey with a time of 1:42:16.
King of the Cut race director Greg Kerr said that it was terrific to see so many local competitors embrace the race.
"It's all about sharing the stoke and we're really happy to bring the whole paddling community together, including surf skis and wing foils," he said.
"The conditions were perfect today, I'll say the best we've ever had, and we had a good, safe event, which is what always aim for."
For more information visit kingofthecut.com
